Alfie-Ray Cracknell – Barnet Football Club

MATCH REPORT | GILLINGHAM FC 1-1 BARNET FC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 15:25:22 +0000

The points were shared at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium as the Bees drew their fourth league game on the bounce and extended their unbeaten run on the road to eight games.

Dean Brennan made one change to the team that started against Cambridge, with Kane Smith replacing Ben Winterburn who took his place on the bench.

The selection of substitutes looked different this afternoon, with Britt Assombalonga returning to the fold and Rhys Browne back in the squad after last featuring for the Bees in our season opener against Fleetwood Town.

The Bees enjoyed plenty of the ball in the opening few minutes, but the first chance of the tie fell for the Gills, when a Remeao Hutton long throw fell to Bradley Dack, who miss-timed the strike of the ball from close-range.

A great passage of play then followed for the Bees, with Ryan Glover playing the ball through to Idris Kanu from the middle of the park. Our number eleven then played the ball behind the on-running Lee Ndlovu who couldn’t latch onto it.

The Bees took the lead following some brilliant play around the box from Idris Kanu, before our number 11 played the ball into the area, with an unmarked Callum Stead latching onto the end of it to find the back of the net.

Cieran Slicker stood strong following another threatening Gills’ long throw, which fell to the feet of Dack. The Gillingham number 23 struck his effort powerfully but it was straight at our number 29 who denied the hosts’ captain.

Kane Smith whipped in a free-kick for the Bees as the momentum swung in our favour and Adam Senior was able to run in from behind the Gillingham defence and get a toe on it, but it was comfortable for shot-stopper Jake Turner.

Glover tried his luck shortly after from inside the box, but his clean effort that was heading into the back of the net was cleared off the line by Dack who was in the right place at the right time for Gareth Ainsworth’s side.

The hosts equalised from a free-kick in added time in the first 45, with Dack the player in on the action again as he struck the ball effortlessly into the roof of the net to level proceedings going into the break.

Half-time: Gillingham FC 1-1 Barnet FC

A half-time substitution for Barnet saw Oli Hawkins replace Lee Ndlovu up front.

The second 45 was a lot quieter, with little goal-mouth action for either side in Kent.

Smith took aim from outside the area for the Bees ten minutes after the restart and the ball soared not too far over the bar.

Max Clark was in plenty of space for the hosts, but his effort went well wide and out for a Bees’ goal-kick.

On the 65th minute, Glover tracked back excellently into defence to stop a Gillingham attack, nicking the ball away from the blue shirt in the final third.

Dack was in on the action again as he directed a header wide from the centre of the area.

Kanu drove through the midfield with the ball as the half progressed, but before he could lay the ball into the path of a teammate, blue shirts surrounded him and nicked the ball from under his feet.

An important header from Nik Tavares diverted danger away from the Barnet box, with the score remaining level as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Dean Brennan made a late triple change, with Britt Assombalango, Rhys Browne and Ben Winterburn coming on in place of Smith, Nnamdi Ofoborh and Stead.

Ollie Kensdale replaced Glover minutes later in our final change.

Four minutes were added at the end of the second-half, and the Bees were awarded a free-kick in a very similar area to that of where Dack scored from earlier in the game.The free-kick routine almost paid off, with Browne involved in getting the ball into a good position, but the ball was deflected out for a corner.

Barnet’s last chance of the game came when Browne delivered a brilliant ball to the back post, which was met by Assombalonga, but the striker couldn’t get the contact he needed to send the ball into the back of the net.

Full-time: Gillingham FC 1-1 Barnet FC

Line-up: Slicker, Collinge, Senior, Ndlovu (Hawkins’ 45’) Stead (Assombalonga, 85’) Kanu, Glover (Kensdale, 88’), Shelton, Smith (Browne, 85’), Tavares, Ofoborh (Winterburn, 85’)

MATCH REPORT | CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0-0 BARNET FC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 18:00:45 +0000

Neither the Bees or the U’s could find the back of the net in a goalless draw at the Cledara Abbey Stadium this afternoon.

Dean Brennan named an unchanged XI following the Bees’ 2-2 draw at the Hive at MK Dons.

It was a quiet opening five minutes at the in Cambridgeshire, with the majority of the action happening in the middle of the park and neither side getting the ball into the opposition’s box.

Nik Tavares did well to stand his ground and deal with Kylian Kouassi who was attempting to progress the ball into the Barnet box in the opening stages.

The first shot on target for the Bees saw Adam Senior drill a low shot goalward, but it was easily dealt with by U’s shot-stopper Jake Eastwood.

The hosts then looped a high ball into the area and this time it was the Bees’ keeper who was tested, but Cieran Slicker rose to gather.

Another shot on target for the Bees and this time it was Idris Kanu, but similar to Senior, his effort had little power on it and didn’t trouble Eastwood, who collected comfortably.

Tavares made another important interception to deny Kouassi the opportunity to turn with the ball and head towards the final third midway through the first 45.

Cambridge came closes when James Brophy curled an effort goalward and it wasn’t too far wide as the tie remained goalless.

Kanu struck again on 38 minutes and this time, his effort forced Eastwood to push it out for a Barnet corner.

A string of corners taken by Ben Winterburn followed as the momentum swung in the our favour, but no purple and white shirt could find the back of the net, with Glover heading over and Senior not able to tap in from close-range.

With minutes to go in the first-half, Glover threaded the ball through to Collinge who found himself with only Eastwood to beat, but he struck the ball into the U’s number one who denied our captain.

Lee Ndlovu then had plenty of time with the ball in the box, but he miss kicked his shot and that was the final action of the half, with neither side finding a breakthrough.

Half-time: Cambridge United 0-0 Barnet FC

Senior struck shortly after the restart from outside the area, forcing Eastwood to parry it away for a corner.

With the Bees still on top, referee Simon Mather awarded a free-kick when Ndlovu went to ground.

Barnet took the set-piece quickly, but Ndlovu frustratingly sent his effort into the side netting.

Huge penalty shouts rang around the Stadium for Cambridge United on the hour mark for the first for a shove in the area, but referee Simon Mather waved them away.

Slicker was bought into the action after having a quiet first-half, saving a powerful effort from Adam Mayor out on the left-hand side.

Shortly after, the ball was in the Barnet area again and our number 29 smothered the ball to deny the hosts the opportunity to take the lead.

Our first change came on 67 minutes, with Ben Winterburn being replaced by Kane Smith.

With 15 minutes to go, the Bees’ endured a nervy moment in the Cambridge United box, but the visitors eventually cleared the danger.

Dean Brennan made a double change with ten minutes to go.

Oli Hawkins came on for Ndlovu up front, with Emmanuel Osadebe replacing Glover in the midfield.

The momentum swung in the hosts’ favour as the clock ticked towards the 90, with five minutes added at the end of the second-half, but the game ended goalless.

Full-time: Cambridge United 0-0 Barnet FC

Line-up: Slicker, Collinge, Senior, Ndlovu (Hawkins, 79’), Stead, Kanu, Glover (Osadebe, 79’), Winterburn (Smith, 67’), Shelton, Tavares, Ofoborh

MATCH REPORT | FLEETWOOD TOWN 2-1 BARNET FC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:31:58 +0000

Barnet exited the Emirates FA Cup at the first round, falling to defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town at the Highbury Stadium.

Two goals either side of the break gave the Cod Army a two-goal advantage and despite Callum Stead striking beautifully late on, it wasn’t meant to be for the visitors.

Dean Brennan made changes to the side that shared the spoils at Barrow last Saturday, with Kane Smith and Mark Shelton in from the start, as well as Britt Assombalonga being named in the first XI.

Romoney Crichlow and Anthony Hartigan took their places on the bench, with Lee Ndlovu rested completely for this afternoon’s tie.

It was a quiet opening five minutes at the Highbury Stadium, with neither side able to create any chances in the opening stages.

There was a break in play as Britt Assombalonga went to ground and had to receive treatment to a head injury.

The break in play allowed the hosts to gather themselves and shortly after, Arsenal graduate Zech Medley gave them the lead on 11 minutes from close-range.

The Bees’ first chance of the half came when Danny Collinge played a fantastic long ball to the feet of Idris Kanu, who controlled the ball well, but couldn’t get the right final touch to send it into the back of the net.

Ryan Graydon found himself in dangerous positions in the final third on multiple occasions, but in the first instance, the ball was threaded through to the hosts star man and Owen Evans made the decision to come out his area and clear the danger well.

The Fleetwood number seven then headed over from a Medley cross, with his head in his hands knowing he should’ve doubled his side’s lead.

Cod Army captain Elliott Bonds then got in on the action and struck from outside the area, but with not enough power, the shot was comfortably into the hands of Evans.

An unfortunate first-half switch saw Assombalonga unable to continue following the early incident and Oli Hawkins entered the fray for the final minutes of the first 45.

Callum Stead came the closest for the visitors, with only David Harrington to beat in the Fleetwood net, but he dragged his effort wide.

Our number then forced another effort agonisingly wide after turning well with the ball at the centre circle, but the Bees found themselves a goal down at the break.

Half-Time: Fleetwood Town 1-0 Barnet FC

Barnet had the first shot on target of the second-half, but it was a tame effort from Kanu after he worked the ball well on the edge of the area.

The Bees continued to search for an equaliser and this time Mark Shelton played the ball in front of the face of goal, but no amber and black shirt was there to poke it home.

The second 45 continued, with neither side creating any clear-cut chances in front of goal.

Fleetwood substitute Liam Roberts delivered a couple of successive free-kicks into the danger zone, but nothing to trouble the Bees’ defence.

A double substitution was made with 15 minutes to go. Ronnie Stutter and Ben Winterburn came on in place of Kane Smith and Mark Shelton.

Another double change on 85 minutes saw Nnamdi Ofoborh and Idris Kanu come off for Anthony Hartigan and Romoney Crichlow.

Fleetwood found a second with minutes to go, with Harrison Holgate finding the back of the net for the hosts.

Callum Stead curled the ball beautifully into the top right corner to give the Bees a lifeline as the game entered five minutes of extra time, but a late equaliser couldn’t be found and referee Scott Jackson blew the full-time whistle.

Full-Time: Fleetwood Town 2-1 Barnet FC

Line-Up: Evans, Collinge, Senior, Stead, Kanu (Crichlow 85′), Glover, Shelton (Winterburn 75′), Smith (Stutter 75′), Tavares, Assombalonga (Hawkins 40′), Ofoborh (Hartigan 85′).

Goals: Stead (89′)

MATCH REPORT | BARNET FC 1-5 SOUTHALL

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:33:54 +0000

Barnet FC knocked out of Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup

Barnet’s run in the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup came to an end after a 5–1 defeat to Southall at The Bees Stadium.

The young Bees made a bright start and took the lead after 16 minutes after a quick move down the left ended with a low cross into the box, where the Barnet forward was first to react and calmly finished past the keeper to make it 1–0.

Southall found a way back into the game before the break, equalising to send the sides in level at half-time.

Half-time: Barnet 1–1 Southall

The visitors came out stronger in the second half and turned the game around with three goals in just six minutes to move 4–1 ahead.

Barnet continued to push forward, but Southall struck again late on to make it 5-1, finishing the game and securing their place in the next round.

Full-time: Barnet 1–5 Southall

We wish Southall FC all the best heading into the next round of the cup.

Line-Up: Haralambous, Ajala, Richards, Blower, Goumal, Bunn, Jacob, Daniels, Ogunkoya, Gibbs, Liwala.

Goals: Ogunkoya (9’)

MATCH REPORT | OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1-1 BARNET FC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:26:53 +0000

A first-half Mark Shelton penalty was cancelled out by a second-half Michael Mellon penalty in a dramatic early kick-off that ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Boundary Park.

Dean Brennan made only one change to the side that beat Grimsby Town at the Hive, with Oli Hawkins coming into the fold.

Both sides came into the tie after positive 3-0 wins in their last outings, with the Latics boasting the best defensive record in the division.

The Bees had the advantage with only five minutes on the clock. A handball in the box saw the referee point to the spot and Mark Shelton calmly dispatched the ball past Mathew Hudson, much to the delight of the home fans booing the former Latics’ midfielder.

Our number 19 was forced off shortly after due to injury, with Anthony Hartigan entering the pitch.

On 25 minutes, Nnamdi Ofoborh drilled the ball into the feet of Ryan Glover who was in the box, but the ball had too much power on it for the wing-back to control it at his feet.

The Bees continued to dominate the first 45, with Danny Collinge heading the ball over the bar from a Hartigan corner.

With half an hour on the clock, Adam Senior danced with the ball at his feet in the area and worked his way towards goal, but his effort was blocked.

Collinge was in a dangerous position in the box again as the half continued, but this time his headed effort was frustratingly cleared off the line by Mike Fondop.

Lee Ndlovu fancied his chances following a mix up in the Oldham defence. Our number nine picked up the ball just outside the area and unleashed an effort on goal, but it ricocheted off the bar.

The final action of the half saw Cieran Slicker’s drop-kick fall to the feet of Callum Stead who was running through on goal, but he couldn’t control the ball and sent his effort off target.

Half-time: Oldham Athletic 0-1 Barnet FC

The Latics had the first chance of the second-half, but Luke Hannant’s headed effort didn’t trouble Slicker and was out for a goal-kick.

Oli Hawkins and Idris Kanu both entered the referee’s book a minute apart, before Brennan made an early second-half change, replacing Callum Stead with Emmanuel Osadebe.

Oldham made multiple changes and the momentum swung in their favour, with Joe Quigley finding himself unmarked in the middle of the box and forcing Slicker to parry the ball out for a corner.

The hosts equalised from the spot, with Michael Mellon slotting the ball past Slicker to level the score.

Mellon had a chance to give the hosts the advantage shortly after dispatching his spot-kick, with Slicker getting his foot in the way to deny the Oldham forward.

Our number 29 was in the right place at the right time a minute later, this time positioning himself excellently to gather the ball from substitute Kane Drummond’s strike.

The Bees shot-stopper was called into action yet again in another one-on-one situation and denied Melon again as the hosts continued to dominate proceedings.

The momentum switched late in the tie and the Bees thought they had the ball in the back of the net with a couple of minutes of normal time to go. Hartigan delivered a dangerous ball into the area and an Amber and black shirt got on the end of it to see the past Hudson in the hosts’ goal, but the referee waved away the goal shouts.

Nine minutes of extra time were added onto the end of the game, but neither side could find a late winner as the game ended one a piece and the Bees extend their unbeaten run on the road to four games.

Full-time: Oldham Athletic 1-1 Barnet FC

Next up for the Bees is Matchday two of the Vertu Trophy, with the Hive playing host to Brighton u21s in a 7:45pm kick-off on Tuesday night.

Line-up: Slicker, Collinge, Senior, Ndlovu, Stead (Osadebe, 60’), Kanu, Hawkins, Glover, Shelton (Hartigan, 17’), Tavares, Ofoborh

Goals: Mark Shelton (5’)

COYB

DEAN BRENNAN POST-MATCH | OLDHAM ATHLETIC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:18:11 +0000

MATCH REPORT | LUTON TOWN

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:46:00 +0000

The Bees fell to a 4-1 defeat at Kenilworth Road tonight in the first group stage game of the Vertu Trophy.

Luton scored three in the first-half, before converting a penalty to add a fourth, with Adam Senior scoring on the stroke of the final whistle to deny the Hatters a clean sheet in the sides’ opening fixture of the competition.

The Bees started brightly and a had an early chance when Scott High played the ball to Senior, but the number five’s left-footed shot glanced wide of the post.

The hosts soon took control and had the lead with eleven minutes on the clock through Lasse Nordas, before doubling their lead shortly after, this time with Jerry Yates firing past Owen Evans in the Barnet net.

Dean Brennan was forced into a first-half substitution midway through the first 45, replacing the injured Ollie Kensdale with Danny Collinge who took the captains armband.

Nordas almost had a second for the Hatters, but Evans palmed his effort away, before parrying away another shot from the Luton forward minutes later.

Our number thirteen was called into action again, this time making a point blank save to deny Yates from close-range.

The Hatters scored their third on the stroke of half-time, with the Bees having work to do in the second 45.

Half-time: Luton Town 3-0 Barnet FC

A substitution at the break saw Ryan Glover replace Ryan Galvin and the Bees started brightly in the second-half.

Dennis Adeniran almost had the ball in the back of the net shortly after the restart, but James Shea in the Luton goal was able to keep it out.

Callum Stead charged forward with the ball and forced a corner.

The resulting set-piece was straight into the hands of Shea, with Glover getting the final touch.

Just after the hour mark, we made our second change of the night, bringing on Lee Ndlovu in place of Callum Stead.

Glover’s pace down the left-hand side caused issues for the Luton defence on numerous occasion, with no black and red shirt seeming to be able to mark him out wide.

New recruit Ben Winterburn had a shot on goal, getting onto the end of a looping corner delivered into the box by Scott High, but his header was just over the bar.

A double substitution was made on 72 minutes, with Nnamdi Ofoborh and the returning Nik Tavares coming on for Dennis Adeniran and Romoney Crichlow.

Winterburn found himself in a good position in the box again, receiving the ball from Glover, but he was unable to divert his effort goalward.

The Hatters were awarded a penalty a few minutes before the clock struck 90 and the spot-kick found the back of the net through Luton substitute Shayden Morris.

Six minutes were added at the end of the second-half, and Adam Senior scored a late consolation goal for the Bees before the final whistle, denying the hosts a clean sheet on the night.

Full-time: Luton Town 4-1 Barnet FC

The Bees’ attention turns back to league action on Saturday, when the Hive plays hosts to Shrewsbury Town.

Line-up: Evans, Galvin (Glover, 45’), Senior, Osadebe, High, Stead (Ndlovu, 61), Winterburn, Kensdale (Collinge, 27), Smith, Crichlow (Tavares, 72), Adeniran (Osadebe, 72’)

Goals: Senior (90+6’)

DEAN BRENNAN POST-MATCH | LUTON TOWN

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:02:15 +0000

MATCH REPORT | CHELTENHAM TOWN 0-1 BARNET FC

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 18:16:00 +0000

A second-half strike from Ollie Hawkins made all the difference at Whaddon Road this afternoon as the Bees made it two wins from two on the road, in a performance full of grit and determination from the visitors.

Going into the tie, Cheltenham sat bottom of the Sky Bet League Two table after four matches, with the Bees having secured their first victory of the campaign on Tuesday night away at Swindon.

The opening minutes of the tie were scrappy, with both sides trying to find their feet.

The game was disrupted early on with a clash of heads between Bees’ captain Anthony Hartigan and Liam Kinsella for the Robins.

The first real chance of the game fell for the hosts, with Ethan Archer able to drive through the midfield with the ball, but his effort glanced wide of the post.

With just over 15 minutes on the clock, it looked like the Bees were 1-0 up through Hawkins, but his effort from close-range was swept off the line by Josh Day in the Cheltenham goal.

The Bees then enjoyed a period of the game with plenty of the ball and Day was called into action again, this time to parry away a powerful effort from Callum Stead on the right-hand side.

Another chance fell for Barnet’s number 12 as the first half continued, with Mark Shelton finding him in plenty of space in the box and playing the ball out to him, but Hawkins’ effort was frustratingly off target.

Half-Time: Cheltenham Town 0-0 Barnet FC

Dean made a double change early in the second 45, replacing Anthony Hartigan and Ryan Galvin with Nnamdi Ofoborh, who returned from a one-game suspension and Tuesday night’s goal scorer Emmanuel Osadebe.

With just over an hour gone, Hawkins gave the Bees the lead. An initial Shelton free-kick deflected out for a corner, before the next corner was latched onto by the number 12, who volleyed it into the back of the net.

Another double change came for the visitors, with Lee Ndlovu and Dennis Adeniran coming on in place of goal scorer Hawkins Callum Stead.

The Bees were down to ten men with ten minutes to go until normal time, when Osadebe saw red for a challenge.

Idris Kanu couldn’t continue, with Kane Smith coming on as a late replacement with 86 minutes on the clock.

Ofoborh caused all sorts of issues for the hosts in the final third, with a powerful effort having to be carried away by Day.

Eight minutes were added at the end-of the second half, and despite a Robins’ effort stinging the hands of Cieran Slicker, the Barnet backline were able to keep the late Cheltenham at bay and see out the victory.

Full-Time: Cheltenham 0-1 Barnet FC

The Bees return to the Hive next week for the visit of Colchester United.

Line-up: Slicker, Galvin (Osadebe, 52), Collinge, Senior, Stead (Adeniran, 73), Kanu (Smith, 86), Hawkins (Ndlovu, 73), Glover, Hartigan (Ofoborh, 52’), Shelton, Kensdale

Goals: Hawkins (62’)

DEAN BRENNAN POST-MATCH | CHELTENHAM TOWN

Alfie-Ray Cracknell — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:30:43 +0000